Lauren Kathage

Has backed the government's bill to protect retail and transport workers from abuse, and opposed the introduction of an opposition bill on emergency worker sentencing. Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025.

• Voted14 Aug 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. Passed 73–3.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said14 Nov 2025In debate on the Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025, said bus drivers and retail workers deserve safety at work and the bill should come on for debate quickly.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said16 Jun 2026Opposed the introduction of the opposition's Sentencing Amendment (Emergency Workers) Bill 2026, saying the government was taking careful, consultative steps to close gaps in the law protecting paramedics.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has defended developer contributions that fund infrastructure in growth areas and said new estates should get roads and services before more lots open. Voted against letting the Greens' rent controls bill be introduced in April 2026 (a procedural vote).

• Said13 Nov 2025In debate on the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025, defended the growth areas infrastructure contribution paid by developers, which funded a new bus route in Donnybrook, and asked the opposition to rule out cutting it.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said17 Mar 2026In a members statement, said the government requires developers to have supporting infrastructure in place before more housing lots are opened in outer suburbs such as Donnybrook.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted1 Apr 2026Voted no on the motion to introduce the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Rent Controls) Bill 2026, a Greens bill to cap rent increases. This was a procedural vote on whether the bill could be introduced. Lost 31–48.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Spoke in support of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 and voted for it.

• Said15 Oct 2025In debate on the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025, spoke in support, describing treaty as bringing Victorians into relationship: “It is not a burden, it is a gift.” Said the opposition's alternative proposals were already in place.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted16 Oct 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025. Passed 54–27.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has raised local road projects, including pedestrian safety on Donnybrook Road and a second exit from the Wallara Waters estate. Voted for the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.

• Voted31 Oct 2024Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, which lets the Premier declare precinct projects around major transport works, including the Suburban Rail Loop. Passed 50–23.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said5 May 2026In a members statement, called on the Wallara Waters developers to explain why a planned second exit from the estate onto the Northern Highway had not been built.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said5 May 2026In a members statement on the 2026–27 budget, said it would fund safety barriers for pedestrians on Donnybrook Road between Donnybrae and the train station.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Opposed the introduction of the Greens' AI data centres moratorium bill, pointing to the government's energy planning and local jobs, and voted against letting it be introduced (a procedural vote).

• Voted11 Aug 2026Voted no on the motion to introduce the Planning and Environment Amendment (AI Data Centres Moratorium) Bill 2026, a Greens bill to pause approvals of new hyperscale AI data centres. This was a procedural vote on whether the bill could be introduced. Lost 31–50.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said11 Aug 2026Spoke against introducing the Greens' AI data centres moratorium bill, saying the government's planning of the energy grid made it best placed to set guardrails, and that data centre jobs could come to the north.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Spoke in support of the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 on gaming machine monitoring licences.

• Said20 May 2025In debate on the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, spoke in support and said the opposition had misread the bill, which concerns a monitoring licence likely held by one provider.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has described cost-of-living pressure on local families and pointed to the government's diesel reserve for farmers.

• Said13 May 2026In a members statement, described local families cutting back because of cost-of-living pressure and welcomed the government's 10 million litre diesel reserve for farmers as good for food prices.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has pointed to upgrades at the Northern Hospital and spoken in support of making dental care free. Voted against a reasoned amendment to withdraw the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025 (a procedural vote).

• Said28 Oct 2025In a members statement, said the new ambulatory centre at the Northern Hospital had reached structural completion, ahead of a new emergency department, part of a nearly $1 billion investment.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted5 Feb 2026On the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025, voted against a reasoned amendment calling for the bill to be withdrawn and redrafted after further consultation with the medical sector. This was a procedural vote; the Assembly did not divide on passing the bill. Amendment lost 26–54.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said23 Sep 2026In debate on a motion on dental services, said people in Yan Yean put off seeing a dentist because of cost, and supported the government's plan to make dental care free.Hansard, Legislative Assembly